Call For Entries For Next-Generation Pharmacist™ Program; Will Recognize Pharmacists Who Are Defining The Future Of The Industry

PLAINSBORO, N.J., Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As the role of the pharmacist continues to expand to meet the health care needs of patients nationwide, Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times are gearing up for the sixth annual program recognizing outstanding pharmacists, technicians, student pharmacists and industry advocates. The NextGeneration Pharmacist^™, the industry's leading national awards program, begins accepting nominations today for these prestigious awards.

This year's program culminates with an event Thursday, Aug. 6, in Orlando, Fla., where winners will receive their Next-Generation Pharmacist^™ awards. Pharmacists, technicians, student pharmacists and industry advocates who are defining the future of the industry will be recognized at this event, and one winner will be named the 2015 Next-Generation Pharmacist^™, the program's top honor, and will be featured on the cover of Pharmacy Times.

The 2015 program includes a new award category, the Health-System Pharmacist, which recognizes a pharmacist who works in a health-system setting, such as a hospital, long-term care facility, home care or a health maintenance organization, and has measurably improved the coordination of care.

"The Next-Generation Pharmacist^™ program was established through a partnership between Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times. It recognizes the increasing importance of pharmacists in the nation's health care system," said Ashley Hennessy Talamo, publisher of Pharmacy Times. "We are very excited to be adding the health-system category to the 10 categories we already recognize annually. It reflects the growing importance of the pharmacist's role in a health system. In this category, we will recognize those who have measurably improved the coordination of care, which is so critical in addressing the growing prevalence of chronic diseases."

"Pharmacists are redefining their role in the evolving, value-driven health care industry. Their positive impact on patients is growing dramatically. Our vision of a Next-Generation Pharmacist^™ is one who not only embraces this change, but is helping to shape the future," explained Tom Rhoads, CEO, Parata Systems. "Our next-generation pharmacists are leveraging new ideas and innovations to improve patient outcomes, and, as a result, they are earning a more strategic role at the health care table. We look forward to recognizing and honoring them at this event."

Nominations may be submitted through April 14. An independent panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Pharmacy Times editor-in-chief Fred M. Eckel, R.Ph., M.S., will evaluate entries. Up to three finalists will be named in each category. These finalists will be featured in the June 2015 issue of Pharmacy Times and on nextgenerationpharmacist.com. This year's nomination categories are:

• Civic Leader
• Entrepreneur
• Future Pharmacist
• Health-System Pharmacist (NEW Category)
• Lifetime Leadership
• Military Pharmacist
• Patient Care Provider
• Rising Star
• Specialty Pharmacist
• Technician
• Technology Innovator

Complete category descriptions and online nominations can be found at nextgenerationpharmacist.com. For regular updates, follow Next-Generation Pharmacist^™ on Twitter and Facebook.

About Parata Systems, LLC

Parata provides technology solutions to support coordinated care, better health outcomes and lower medical costs, empowering pharmacists to grow their businesses. Founded in 2001, the Durham, N.C.-based company is a brand trusted by more than 12,000 pharmacies and a growing number of global health care professionals serving diverse patient populations. Our technology has filled more than 2.5 billion prescriptions, helping pharmacists avoid an estimated 15 million medication errors. For more information, visit www.parata.com, contact us via [email protected] or 888-PARATA1 (727-2821), or check us out on Facebook or Twitter.

About Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Times is the industry's leading publication, providing practical, clinical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with physicians. Each issue contains articles and features covering medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law and specialty pharmacy. The Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Learn more at www.PharmacyTimes.com, write to [email protected], call 609-716-7777 or visit us on Facebook and on Twitter. Pharmacy Times is published by Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a leading provider of health care publications, research, information and education.

Next-Generation Pharmacist^™ is a trademark of Parata Systems, LLC.

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SOURCE Pharmacy Times

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